Sprint's Roaming Contract with Verizon...

[thezlog]

I want to make sure I understand this, I've read a few other threads that came up in auto-search, but if some one wouldn't mind confirming my understanding I would really appreciate it.

With the "Everything Data Family With Any Mobile Anytime" plan, if I find myself driving to the beach (in the Northwest, theres a good 20 minute stretch that no carrier other than Verizon has bothered with getting signal to) the phones (in this case, the EVO) will just roam onto Verizon's network, right?

Is it as simple, cut and dry as "If Verizon phones get service then sprint phones will too?" or is there more to it?

Lastly, I understand that the bank of 1,500 minutes is used while roaming.

Anyone care to correct me if/where I might be wrong? The sprint reps just tell you "Yes of course" but i'd like to know how it ends up working in the real world.

Thanks again!

 

[swazedahustla]

I want to make sure I understand this, I've read a few other threads that came up in auto-search, but if some one wouldn't mind confirming my understanding I would really appreciate it.

With the "Everything Data Family With Any Mobile Anytime" plan, if I find myself driving to the beach (in the Northwest, theres a good 20 minute stretch that no carrier other than Verizon has bothered with getting signal to) the phones (in this case, the EVO) will just roam onto Verizon's network, right?

Is it as simple, cut and dry as "If Verizon phones get service then sprint phones will too?" or is there more to it?

Lastly, I understand that the bank of 1,500 minutes is used while roaming.

Anyone care to correct me if/where I might be wrong? The sprint reps just tell you "Yes of course" but i'd like to know how it ends up working in the real world.

Not sure the specifics of the roaming, but yes you can roam on verizons network, but im not sure if thats at 2G or 3G, but the signals are good for either if you were to ever find yourself roaming. The 1500 minutes though, if you are calling any mobile cell phone anywhere, those minutes are unlimited. You will only burn your minutes on your account by calling a land line phone. So as long as you are calling a cell phone, regardless of any carrier, those are basically unlimited or FREE.

 

[thezlog]

Even if I'm roaming when i make the call?

Thanks for the reply

 

[Aridon]

Yes you can roam on verizon. The transition is not seamless so if you are on a call with the sprint tower it will drop when you roam. You are then free to initiate the call while roaming. Your phone will also ring while roaming. Data is at 1x.

Sprint may get pissy if you regularly use more than 50% of your minutes roaming.

 

[zerozed]

How about roaming and tapping in to Verizon data? And not trying to get off-subject, but if you can pick up both a Sprint signal and a Verizon signal, is there any downside to using the Verizon signal if it's stronger?

 

[swazedahustla]

Yes you can roam on verizon. The transition is not seamless so if you are on a call with the sprint tower it will drop when you roam. You are then free to initiate the call while roaming. Your phone will also ring while roaming. Data is at 1x.

Sprint may get pissy if you regularly use more than 50% of your minutes roaming.

You know something, I dont know how long this contract has been in effect but I think I have never roamed on a verizon network because I haven't experianced any ringing anywhere I have used my phone. Hmmmmm.

 

[asaberan]

So as long as you are calling a cell phone, regardless of any carrier, those are basically unlimited or FREE.

I believe you are incorrect. This is straight from Sprint's website terms:
"Mobile-to-Mobile:Only available for calls directly between Sprint phones and/or most Nextel phones (not through Voicemail, 411 or other indirect methods). Not available where a Sprint phone is roaming."

This would imply that these minutes are not included in mobile to mobile "unlimited" buckets. I'm not sure if this uses your minutes or not, as this is unclear from the terms.

http://shop.sprint.com/en/legal/legal_terms_privacy_popup.shtml

 

[swazedahustla]

How about roaming and tapping in to Verizon data? And not trying to get off-subject, but if you can pick up both a Sprint signal and a Verizon signal, is there any downside to using the Verizon signal if it's stronger?

Not sure about that one, but I don't think that would be something the sprint people take a liking to, especially if you do it on a regular basis.

 

[drksilenc]

yes you are stuck on 1x data and 1x voice you will always use the sprint tower before verizon

 

[swazedahustla]

I believe you are incorrect. This is straight from Sprint's website terms:
"Mobile-to-Mobile:Only available for calls directly between Sprint phones and/or most Nextel phones (not through Voicemail, 411 or other indirect methods). Not available where a Sprint phone is roaming."

This would imply that these minutes are not included in mobile to mobile "unlimited" buckets. I'm not sure if this uses your minutes or not, as this is unclear from the terms.

Terms & Conditions

Not sure what plan that is, but this is what he is talking about....

"Any Mobile, Anytime: Applies when directly dialing/receiving standard voice calls between domestic wireless numbers as determined when the call is placed using independent third-party and Sprint databases. Available with select Sprint plans and while on the Nationwide Sprint or Nextel National Networks (excludes voicemail, 411 and other indirect methods)."

Doesn't matter what carrier you are calling, and I don't think roaming matters either. Although the roaming isn't specifically addressed.

 

[rfss]

Although the roaming isn't specifically addressed.

Isn't it?

"Any Mobile, Anytime: Applies... while on the Nationwide Sprint or Nextel National Networks...

 

[joeyv69ragtop]

Not sure what plan that is, but this is what he is talking about....

"Any Mobile, Anytime: Applies when directly dialing/receiving standard voice calls between domestic wireless numbers as determined when the call is placed using independent third-party and Sprint databases. Available with select Sprint plans and while on the Nationwide Sprint or Nextel National Networks (excludes voicemail, 411 and other indirect methods)."

Doesn't matter what carrier you are calling, and I don't think roaming matters either. Although the roaming isn't specifically addressed.

the bit about "while on the NationwideSprint or Nextel National Networks" leads me to believe you'll use minutes for calling other mobile phones if you're roaming on verizon's towers.

That said, I've only ever had mobile-to-mobile (sprint/nextel to sprint/nextel) before and my roaming is included anyway, so I can't say for certain what happens with the any mobile, anytime option.

EDIT: rfss beat me to it.

 

[legacy]

Not sure what plan that is, but this is what he is talking about....

"Any Mobile, Anytime: Applies when directly dialing/receiving standard voice calls between domestic wireless numbers as determined when the call is placed using independent third-party and Sprint databases. Available with select Sprint plans and while on the Nationwide Sprint or Nextel National Networks (excludes voicemail, 411 and other indirect methods)."

Doesn't matter what carrier you are calling, and I don't think roaming matters either. Although the roaming isn't specifically addressed.

It's addressed right here. Roaming uses your minutes.

 

[dave158316]

ok i just talked to sprint and this is what they said... hope it helps... it did for me

5:31:50 PM :​

Arthur V: Hello.

5:32:01 PM :​

david carpenter: hi

5:33:10 PM :​

Arthur V: The Sprint HTC Evo will require any Data plan with $10 Data premium pack to be activate.

5:33:46 PM :​

Arthur V: Should I explain you the Sprint individual Data plan to you ?

5:34:23 PM :​

david carpenter: yeah the 69.99 plan i think it is that is offered right

5:34:33 PM :​

david carpenter: or is there a cheaper plan than that

5:35:18 PM :​

Arthur V: $69.99 Everything Data is the cheapest Individual plan with data these are the other feature of the plan-

5:35:28 PM :​

Arthur V: It includes 450 Anytime Minutes
Additional Anytime Minutes will be charged at $0.45 per minute
Unlimited Mobile to Mobile, nationwide long distance and no roaming charges
Unlimited Internet access
Anytime Anymobile: All domestic calls to any mobile on any network unlimited (user must not be roaming)
Messaging: Unlimited nationwide, text, picture and video messages to anyone on any network.

5:36:03 PM :​

david carpenter: what happens if i am roaming?

5:36:44 PM :​

Arthur V: There will be no roaming charges in this plan.

5:37:02 PM :​

david carpenter: ok but will my minutes be used then?

5:37:38 PM :​

david carpenter: it says the user must not be roaming... what does that mean exactly

5:38:06 PM :​

Arthur V: Let me explain this to you.

5:38:11 PM :​

david carpenter: ok ty

5:38:13 PM :​

david carpenter: sorry

5:39:59 PM :​

Arthur V: The America roaming is free in this plan. The term "All domestic calls to any mobile on any network unlimited (user must not be roaming) " states that user must not be in International roaming.

5:41:12 PM :​

david carpenter: ok just so i have this correct i can call anybody anytime to any cell phone as long as i'm in america

5:41:22 PM :​

david carpenter: and not be charged

5:41:59 PM :​

david carpenter: and they are also, not international calls

5:42:10 PM :​

Arthur V: Yes.

5:42:44 PM :​

Arthur V: You can call any cell phone in the America for free.

5:42:50 PM :​

david carpenter: ok, and i will get free nights and weekends starting at 7pm till 6am

5:43:36 PM :​

Arthur V: Talk: Nights, Mon-Thurs. 7 p.m. - 7 a.m.; Weekends, Fri. 7 p.m. - Mon. 7 a.m.

5:43:50 PM :​

david carpenter: ok ty

5:43:58 PM :​

david carpenter: i think i got it now

5:44:22 PM :​

Arthur V: You're welcome.My goal is to ensure the issues that prompted you to chat are fully resolved. Please let me know if I can be of any more help to you.?

5:45:37 PM :​

david carpenter: no that is it thank you very much for the help

5:45:40 PM :​

Arthur V: It was a pleasure assisting you. We value your business and would appreciate you taking time to respond to a brief survey about your chat experience.

5:46:22 PM :​

Arthur V: Thank you. I sincerely appreciate this.To ensure you are able to participate, please disable all popup blockers before pressing the Exit and Complete Survey button to end the chat session.

 

[asaberan]

Not sure what plan that is, but this is what he is talking about....

"Any Mobile, Anytime: Applies when directly dialing/receiving standard voice calls between domestic wireless numbers as determined when the call is placed using independent third-party and Sprint databases. Available with select Sprint plans and while on the Nationwide Sprint or Nextel National Networks (excludes voicemail, 411 and other indirect methods)."

Doesn't matter what carrier you are calling, and I don't think roaming matters either. Although the roaming isn't specifically addressed.

Those are the terms no matter which plan you pick, as long as it includes "Unlimited mobile to mobile."

 

[moparharn]

I can get Verizon in my house. I cannot get Sprint in my house. Thus you will not be automatically switched to Verizon if there is no Sprint signal.

 

[Ilya]

You will if you set your roaming options to automatic. If you set your phone options to Sprint Only, then of course you won't roam.

 

[green91]

At my house i jump between sprint and verizon and my roaming has been seamless, i dont ever recall having a call dropped due to roaming onto a vzw tower.

 

[Darbley77]

ok i just talked to sprint and this is what they said... hope it helps... it did for me

5:31:50 PM :​

Arthur V: Hello.

5:32:01 PM :​

david carpenter: hi

5:33:10 PM :​

Arthur V: The Sprint HTC Evo will require any Data plan with $10 Data premium pack to be activate.

5:33:46 PM :​

Arthur V: Should I explain you the Sprint individual Data plan to you ?

5:34:23 PM :​

david carpenter: yeah the 69.99 plan i think it is that is offered right

5:34:33 PM :​

david carpenter: or is there a cheaper plan than that

5:35:18 PM :​

Arthur V: $69.99 Everything Data is the cheapest Individual plan with data these are the other feature of the plan-

5:35:28 PM :​

Arthur V: It includes 450 Anytime Minutes
Additional Anytime Minutes will be charged at $0.45 per minute
Unlimited Mobile to Mobile, nationwide long distance and no roaming charges
Unlimited Internet access
Anytime Anymobile: All domestic calls to any mobile on any network unlimited (user must not be roaming)
Messaging: Unlimited nationwide, text, picture and video messages to anyone on any network.

5:36:03 PM :​

david carpenter: what happens if i am roaming?

5:36:44 PM :​

Arthur V: There will be no roaming charges in this plan.

5:37:02 PM :​

david carpenter: ok but will my minutes be used then?

5:37:38 PM :​

david carpenter: it says the user must not be roaming... what does that mean exactly

5:38:06 PM :​

Arthur V: Let me explain this to you.

5:38:11 PM :​

david carpenter: ok ty

5:38:13 PM :​

david carpenter: sorry

5:39:59 PM :​

Arthur V: The America roaming is free in this plan. The term "All domestic calls to any mobile on any network unlimited (user must not be roaming) " states that user must not be in International roaming.

5:41:12 PM :​

david carpenter: ok just so i have this correct i can call anybody anytime to any cell phone as long as i'm in america

5:41:22 PM :​

david carpenter: and not be charged

5:41:59 PM :​

david carpenter: and they are also, not international calls

5:42:10 PM :​

Arthur V: Yes.

5:42:44 PM :​

Arthur V: You can call any cell phone in the America for free.

5:42:50 PM :​

david carpenter: ok, and i will get free nights and weekends starting at 7pm till 6am

5:43:36 PM :​

Arthur V: Talk: Nights, Mon-Thurs. 7 p.m. - 7 a.m.; Weekends, Fri. 7 p.m. - Mon. 7 a.m.

5:43:50 PM :​

david carpenter: ok ty

5:43:58 PM :​

david carpenter: i think i got it now

5:44:22 PM :​

Arthur V: You're welcome.My goal is to ensure the issues that prompted you to chat are fully resolved. Please let me know if I can be of any more help to you.?

5:45:37 PM :​

david carpenter: no that is it thank you very much for the help

5:45:40 PM :​

Arthur V: It was a pleasure assisting you. We value your business and would appreciate you taking time to respond to a brief survey about your chat experience.

5:46:22 PM :​

Arthur V: Thank you. I sincerely appreciate this.To ensure you are able to participate, please disable all popup blockers before pressing the Exit and Complete Survey button to end the chat session.

This is the exact opposite of the information I received from chat. I deleted the conversation but they informed me that if I roam the mobile to any mobile minutes will be take away from my anytime minutes. This is the whole reason I decided to just stick with Verizon. I have also asked many custome rservice reps. The only ones that have said it does not are the sales department on Sprint.

 

[rushmore]

Roaming data is 1X, but some say 2G level and others 2.5G level. If you can stream low res youtube, you are getting higher speed (2.5G) 1X level. If not, it is 2G level.

 

[Darbley77]

I actually just got on chat and got the information about roaming to paste.

4:24:32 PM

System
Thank you for contacting Sprint. My name is Traci K. In order to better assist you, may I please have your first and last name?
4:25:31 PM

Brad
my question is......if I am on a mobile to any mobile plan and I am roaming in the United States.....will the minutes be deducated from my plan allowed anytime minutes?
4:25:56 PM

Brad
Sorry.....Brad K
4:26:42 PM

Traci K
Thank you so much, Brad. If you are roaming in the U.S. then a mobile to mobile call would use your plan allowed anytime minutes *or* your 7 pm unlimited night and weekend minutes as applicable according to the time the call began.
4:27:03 PM

Brad
Thank You

 

[Howie]

Doesn't make sense why they still allow unlimited night and weekend minutes, but not mobile-to-mobile while roaming. You'd think they allow any or none.

 

[suprmallet]

As long as roaming doesn't incur extra charges above and beyond the normal plan, I don't see the issue with using anytime minutes for it. Just don't talk more than 450 minutes while roaming.

 

[vudu]

I don't understand why, if you can roam on Verizon with Sprint, I still see a lot of cocmments such as: "I had great call quality with Sprint - when I could make a call. Their coverage is so poor in many areas that I decided I needed ubiquitous calling over quality and switched." A lot of times these people cite that as the reason why they choose to go with Verizon instead. Isn't the roaming on Verizon's entire network? Or is it limited to certain geographic areas?

 

[thezlog]

I don't understand why, if you can roam on Verizon with Sprint, I still see a lot of cocmments such as: "I had great call quality with Sprint - when I could make a call. Their coverage is so poor in many areas that I decided I needed ubiquitous calling over quality and switched." A lot of times these people cite that as the reason why they choose to go with Verizon instead. Isn't the roaming on Verizon's entire network? Or is it limited to certain geographic areas?

Thats another thing i wonder about... I wonder if some phones be default are sold with roaming disabled?

My friend has an HTC HD2 (?) on sprint and says he's not once ever been without signal. Roaming is enabled on his phone.

He drives back to Colorado to visit family once a year and says he's good the whole way.